CONSERVATION CASEWORK LOG NOTES MARCH 2016

The GHS/TGT conservation team received 137 new cases in England and 3 new cases in Wales during March in addition to ongoing work on previously logged cases. Written responses were submitted by TGT and/or CGTs for the following cases. In addition to the responses below, 3 ‘No Comment’ responses were lodged by GCTs in response to planning applications included in the weekly lists.

Site / County / GHS ref / Reg Grade / Proposal / Written Response
Oldbury Court / Avon / E15/1484 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Demolition of detached garage and construction of new build detached dwelling. Rockwood House, Frenchay Road, Bristol BS16 2RA. RESIDENTIAL / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 04.03.2016
Thank you for consulting the Avon Gardens Trust on this application.
Summary: The Avon Gardens Trust does not support this application.
Oldbury Court is a late C18 park and pleasure grounds laid out following the advice of Humphry Repton, and is now a public park. The earliest record of an extensive designed landscape at Oldbury Court is dated 1789 and describes the park as enclosing rural walks carved through the woods and precipices which border the Frome. It is a Grade II Registered Park and Garden.
The site of this application lies adjacent to the boundary of the Oldbury Court Estate Registered Park and Garden.
Having studied this and the previous application, [14/03425/F], we think it appropriate to quote the Bristol Council Arboricultural team report of 5/11/14.
‘The tree cover adjacent to the site is important to this area especially with regard to the transition between the nationally listed park and gardens of Oldbury Court Estate and the suburban areas of Frenchay and Downend.
Located adjacent to the northern boundary of the site are a number of large mature trees including sycamore, beech and ash up to a height of 18 metres.
I see no major problem with the conversion of the existing building, however the construction of a dwelling in place of the existing garage is likely to lead to pressures to remove the adjacent trees or considerably reduce them, destroying their form and value as an amenity.
Given the size and proximity of the trees to the proposed dwelling they will dominate the rear area and north elevation of the proposed new building. In the case of a larger limb being brought down it will be hard for the council to resist calls for heavy crown reduction – at worst, felling.’
To summarise:
• The reasons for removing the new build element from application no. 14/03425/F are still relevant.
• The conditions for permitting the reduced scheme do not appear to be included on the
current application 16/00598/F.
• Core Strategy 2011 Policy BCS22 Conservation and the Historic Environment should be applied. Also policy DM 31, Heritage Assets, Development proposals will safeguard or enhance heritage assets and the character and setting of areas of acknowledged importance including: Historic parks and gardens.
To allow the demolition of the garage and the construction of the new build dwelling would appear to be counter to these policies.
As previously notified to you, The Gardens Trust is the statutory consultee on matters concerning registered parks and gardens. The Avon Gardens Trust is the regional part of The Gardens Trust.
We would be grateful to be advised of your decision, or if further information is submitted.
Yours sincerely
Ros Delany (Dr)
Chairman, Avon Gardens Trust
Stowe / Bucking-hamshire / E15/1459 / I / PLANNING APPLICATION Provision of a new vehicular link road. Land Between Nelsons Walk And Home Park Road, Stowe School, Stowe, Buckinghamshire MK18 5EH. ROAD / TGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 08.03.2016
Thank you for consulting the Garden History Society in its role as Statutory Consultee with regard to proposed development affecting a site included by English Heritage/Historic England on their Register of Parks & Gardens, as per the above application.
I have consulted both the Property Manager at Stowe (Jane Greenhaf) and the Head Gardner (Barry Smith) as well as my colleagues in the Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust about this application. The need for improved traffic management is recognized and we are all happy with the proposed construction method and route for the new road. We would ask that if Aylesbury Vale DC are minded to permit this application, some compensatory planting is undertaken as a condition of permission. I attach a plan showing an area of the park marked pink belonging to Stowe School which has been hit by both storms and disease. It is urgently in need of new planting of appropriate park tree species which would compensate for the trees lost in the building of the new road. If you need further clarification regarding the planned tree planting area and/or suitable species, pleasecontact either Barry Smith () or Jane Greenhaf () direct.
MAP SHOWING AREA FOR REPLANTING OF TREES
TGT would be grateful if you could please advise us of the outcome of this application when it is decided.
Yours sincerely,
Margie Hoffnung
Assistant Conservation Officer
Stowe / Bucking-hamshire / E15/1557 / I / PLANNING APPLICATION Phase 2 of the maintenance & recycling compound at the Bourbon Compound, Stowe School consisting of erection of welfare/office facilities & a storage/maintenance building, extension of a hard standing area & formation of composting/salt storage areas. Bourbon Compound, Stowe Historic Park And Garden, Dadford Road, Stowe, Buckinghamshire MK18 5EH. MAINTENANCE/STORAGE/OUTBUILDING / TGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 14.03.2016
Thank you for consulting the Garden History Society in its role as Statutory Consultee with regard to proposed development affecting a site included by English Heritage/Historic England on their Register of Parks & Gardens, as per the above application.
As with last week’s application I have consulted both the Property Manager at Stowe (Jane Greenhaf) and the Head Gardener (Barry Smith) as well as my colleagues in the Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust. The siting of the maintenance compound at the appropriately named The Dump (aka The Bourbon Compound) seems a good option. Although the tree belt that protects the view to the Bourbon is maturing, the lack of thinning maintenance has left it as a screen whose species and look is not ideal as an extension to the Valley. A landscape plan for this area was drawn up and accepted as part of extending the playing fields about ten years ago but not implemented. This might be a good opportunity for revisiting the plan, including the new facilities and looking afresh at whether any additional planting may be necessary.
I would be most grateful if you would please be kind enough to let us know the outcome of this application at .
Yours sincerely,
Margie Hoffnung
Assistant Conservation Officer
Stoke Park / Bucking-hamshire / E15/1569 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Construction of two tennis courts and two padel courts. Re-modelling of car park layout and associated landscaping. Stoke Park Ltd, Stoke Park House, Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire. SPORT/LEISURE, PARKING / TGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 21.03.2016
Thank you for consulting The Gardens Trust in its role as Statutory Consultee with regard to proposed development affecting a site included by Historic England on their Register of Parks & Gardens, as per the above application.
I have consulted my colleagues in the Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust who know the site well and they have drawn my attention to the 2004 Stoke Park Conservation Plan (LUC/Dominic Cole) that identifies this area as a possible site for future development, as long as it is well screened. I looked closely at the proposed car park layout plan (Cookson & Tickner drawing CT107PL 01) that shows the new tennis courts as well as the Padel red courts and was glad to note that this includes a wide bund as well as some remodeling of the embankment, plus additional planting to screen the area. Policy 6 within the Conservation Plan deals with tree planting, and the points made there should be taken into account when selecting appropriate tree and shrub species to be sited on the bunds as per drawing CT107PL 01. If further help is required with the details of planting Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust would be able to offer informed assistance.
I would be most grateful if you could please let us know the outcome of this application.
Yours sincerely,
Margie Hoffnung
Assistant Conservation Officer
Whitworth Institute / Derby-shire / E15/1454 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Erection of bowling club house and associated sewage treatment tank. Whitworth Park, Dale Road North, Darley Dale, Derbyshire. SPORT/LEISURE / TGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 14.03.2016
Thank you for consulting The Gardens Trust in its role as Statutory Consultee with regard to proposed development affecting a site included by English Heritage/Historic England on their Register of Parks & Gardens, as per the above application.
I have consulted with my colleagues at the Derbyshire Gardens Trust and am happy that the proposed new bowling club house is well screened and that it will be a useful amenity for local residents. It is important to ensure that any work carried out to the foundations does not affect the roots of the surrounding trees which are part of the original plan and are also listed.
I would be grateful if you were able to let us know the outcome of this application.
Yours sincerely,
Margie Hoffnung
Assistant Conservation Officer
Combe House / Devon / E15/1438 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Installation of sash windows and doors to garden pavilion. Combe House Hotel, Gittisham, Honiton EX14 3AD. GARDEN BUILDING / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 15.03.2016
Thank you for consulting The Gardens Trust on the above application which affects Combe House, an historic designed landscape which is included byHistoric England on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special HistoricInterest at grade II.
The Gardens Trust, formerly The Garden History Society, is the StatutoryConsultee on development affecting all sites on the Historic England Register ofParks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. The Devon Gardens Trust is amember of The Gardens Trust and responds to consultations in the County ofDevon to ensure that your Council receives authoritative specialist advice onplanning applications affecting historic parks and gardens and their setting.
The Orangery,a classical garden pavilion, stands on the northwest corner of thelawns of Combe House. The Gardens Trusts welcomes the proposals toreinstate the missing fenestration of the grade II listed Orangery and bring itback into beneficial use. On behalf of The Gardens Trust, we are happy to
support this application
Yours faithfully
John Clark
Conservation Officer
Ladbroke Estate / Greater London / E15/1586 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Single-storey rear extension at lower ground floor level and terrace. Replace windows with new double-glazed windows. 137 Elgin Crescent, LONDON W11 2JH. BUILDING ALTERATION / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 16.03.2016
…I commented on line to the effect that as the rear basement extension will be visible from the registered communal garden (grade II), the treatment of the new window and railings should be less utilitarian and more sympathetic to the prevailing character of the terrace…
Chris Sumner
Moor Park / Hertford-shire / E15/1553 / II* / PLANNING APPLICATION Two storey side and rear extension with balcony to rear and internal alterations. Hill House, 7 Temple Gardens, Moor Park. BUILDING ALTERATION / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 20.03.2016
The HGT is familiar with this landscape and its history. We would expect a Heritage Impact Statement or at least a mention that Historic England has Registered this landscape at Grade II*, of exceptional national historic interest, but can not find this within the documents.
We are concerned that the rear elevation is very close to the landscape of the golf course. At present, the fenestration on this elevation is not overly intrusive to the landscape. We not that the Design & Access Statement details views out from the proposed double height rear window. The views thus opened up towards the property from the landscape will cause harm to the landscape due to the large amount of glass with reflection and glare on this. The significance of the landscape would be harmed by this visual intrusion, contrary to section 12 of the NPPF and thus not fulfil the one of the Core Planning Principle for sustainable development. No mitigation, through tree planting or other appropriate screening has been proposed in this application.
We therefore object to this proposal and our comments are made also as a member of The Gardens Trust.
Best wishes
Kate Harwood
Conservation & Planning
Hertfordshire Gardens Trust
Balls Park / Hertford-shire / E15/1535 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Single storey rear extension. 5 Willis Grove, Balls Park, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 8FH. BUILDING ALTERATION / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 20.03.2016
The HGT is familiar with this Grade II landscape and its history. On the basis of the information included in the planning application we do not have any objections to this proposed extension, as the views over the Registered parkland are not significantly harmed.
Kate Harwood
Balls Park / Hertford-shire / E15/1568 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Provide additional car parking surface to grass area. Hertford Cricket And Hockey Association, Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 8AJ. PARKING / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 20.03.2016